Emily and matthew settle in

The first Help to Buy customers for the Barratt Manchester division are settling into their new home.

Emily Hetherington and her partner Matthew Knowles were the first customers to complete their house purchase using the Government scheme that was only introduced in April 2013.

The couple, who have a seven-month-old son, Oliver, wouldn’t have been able to take their first step on the property ladder if it hadn’t been for the Help to Buy scheme.

The first time buyers have moved into a three-bedroom Barratt Home on the stunning development at Buckshaw Village, Chorley.

Emily said: “We knew that the Government was starting a scheme but we didn’t know the details and honestly didn’t think it would mean we would be able to get a house.

“We saw a sign saying that there was a scheme that needed a five per cent deposit and we saw the new Barratt sales office at Buckshaw and called in to see if we would be able to get anything.”

She said that on the visit to the sales office, advisers explained to them about the different schemes available and that the Help to Buy scheme may be able to help them.

They were then shown around some houses on Buckshaw Village and knew immediately that they wanted to live there.

Emily added: “We knew then that we didn’t want to lose this house so we put a deposit down that day and started to see if we were eligible for Help to Buy.

“We couldn’t believe it when the sales adviser told us we could be in within six weeks, but we were.

“We absolutely love it here and couldn’t have got it without Help to Buy.”

Neil Goodwin, managing director of Barratt Manchester, said: “Although the Help to Buy scheme was only introduced in April, we are seeing lots of interest in it across the Barratt Manchester area.

“It is really helping people get on the property ladder or move up it, when previously this may have been out of their reach.

“We are delighted that the scheme has worked so well for Emily and Matthew.”

With a Help to Buy equity loan, the Government loans you up to 20 per cent of the cost of a new-build home, so you only need a five per cent deposit and a 75 per cent mortgage for the rest.

The scheme is available for existing home owners as well as first time buyers but is only available for new build properties. If you are interested in moving to a Barratt Home on Buckshaw Village, call Barratt on 01257 260882.